HC Deb 25 July 1991 vol 195 cc930-1W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what formal consultations took place with NATO allies prior to 25 July 1990 regarding "Options for Change".

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 4 July at column212.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Nepalese Government and the Brunei Government regarding "Options for Change".

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Both Governments have been informed of the implications of "Options for Change" in relation to the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Mr. Hague

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on how many service and United Kingdom civilian personnel are affected by "Options for Change"; and what roles the civilian staff employed by the Ministry of Defence carry out.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The current strength of the armed forces is some 305,000. The 1979 figure was 322,000, and the mid-1990s figure will be some 246,000. The Ministry of Defence employs a total of 169,000 civilians, 140,000 United Kingdom-based and 29,000 engaged overseas. The 1979 total was 286,000 and the total by the mid 1990s will be 135,000. Ministry of Defence civilians carry out a wide variety of roles in support of all three services. Since they cost less and can provide greater continuity, they are widely employed to release service personnel for military tasks. Programmes on which civilians are employed are set out in the Statement on the Defence Estimates. As well as headquarters work, examples of their tasks and roles are:

  • Running the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. These include tankers, support and supply ships which sail with the fleet and on operations. (About 2,500 people).
  • Running the Navy's supply and armament depots.
  • Building, maintaining and storing the nuclear deterrent.
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
  • Manning army workshops.
  • Computer support for all three services.
  • Bill paying for all that is bought by the three services. The Ministry of Defence police, some 5,000 strong, who guard key establishments against terrorists.
  • The fire services for all three services.
  • RAF repair, maintenance and supply depots and other support tasks in RAF Commands. (About 20,000 in all).
  • Running service mess facilities.
  • Scientific research in our research establishments.
  • The scientists and other professionals who run the Meteorological Office (weather forecasting) and most of the staff in the Hydrographic Office.